Growing Cape Gooseberry, also Golden Berry, Inca Berry

Physalis peruviana : Solanaceae / the nightshade family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S                  
        T              
        P              

(Best months for growing Cape Gooseberry in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 39 - 59 inches apart
  • Harvest in 14-16 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Will happily grow in a flower border but tends to sprawl over other plants.

Your comments and tips

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15 Dec 19, Margaret (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I live in Canberra, australia. Is it too late to put in some seed?
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17 Dec 19, anon (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
A general guide is to plant Sept to Nov . so put some seed in as soon as possible. Weather changes year to year, and I'm not talking climate change. We are experiencing a much later start to spring summer rains due to the Indian ocean dipole and the monsoon trough has not yet moved down from India into the north of Australia.
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25 Oct 19, Dorothy Kerby (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a cape gooseberry, and I love the fruit. BUT so does some grub. It makes a hole in the papery case (even when the fruit is just developing). What is this grub, and how can I prevent it from having more fruit that I do? I check the plant daily, and try to remove any affected fruit, to prevent them dropping and perpetuating the life cycle, BUT they are more tricky than I. I have bees and grow every thing organically.
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28 Oct 19, anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look up an organic spray mix for grubs in veggie crops.
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05 Oct 19, Rosslyn Major (Australia - temperate climate)
I have some Goosberrys that ive had a few years all dry,wanting to grow from seed can i plant now thank you .
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07 Oct 19, anon (Australia - temperate climate)
The purpose of this website is really to advise. You found your climate zone and the plant you want to grow. The information is all there at the top of the page with comments on growing it. PLANT AUG TO DEC. The seeds are old and may not germinate. Seeds only last so long if not properly stored. Germination % drops. Read about it on the net.
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03 Oct 19, John D. Salcd (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Starting from seed indoors, transplanted outdoors and had done well with a small crop of delicious berries. With cold weather approaching, can I dig up the plant and repot for indoor "wintering over" or will it survive the harsh winters experienced in this part of the U.S. Your earliest reply would be most welcome. Thank you. J. Salce
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16 Sep 19, Lesleigh (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I've recently planted my 1st gooseberry bush. It has tripled in size & given heaps of cape pods. But they seem small & drop off. I tasted one that had a tinge of orange it was lovely but most are green inside still. Its in a great sunny position. Am I overwatering it or being 1st crop should I pull them all off to allow for a better crop next time round when plant is big. Would love some advise. Never grown them before but just love the Jam. From Redlands in QLD. Thanks
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18 Sep 19, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
Temperate zone it does say plant AUG onwards - maybe you planted a bit early. Remember little plants little watering often. As they become bigger more water less often. Mature plants 2-3 good waterings per week - more if very hot.
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26 Jul 19, Ellie Hallett (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello, Because birds can spread plants so easily, would a glasshouse be a good idea to prevent this. I live in Toowoomba. If so, do you have any recommendations for glass, cloth, or other sorts of greenhouse for a domestic garden? Local possums could also be a problem for uncovered berries. Thank you kindly, Ellie
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Search -- edible.co.nz Full sun Shelter from winds and tolerates moderate salty marine conditions. Are frost tender and grows as an annual in colder regions. In warmer areas they will grow for several seasons producing seedlings to continue the plants. Frosts can burn the plants but will recover unless the frost was hard. Prune back after all frosts have passed. Cape Gooseberries will grow in a wide range of soils and pHs. Soil must be well draining. Plants will handle periods of drought but too much moisture could encourage fungal problems. Plant in early spring as this will help with an earlier fruit set, space 0.5-1.5 apart. In most situations Cape Gooseberries do not need any fertiliser. Unneeded fertiliser could result in lots of vegetation and little fruit. Pinch out new shoots to encourage bushy growth. Prune back hard in spring to encourage new growth for fruiting. Pests Very few problems unless the soil is too wet and causes fungal problems and rot. ------------------------------------------- if you are going to fertilise only put small amounts on. A 9L water can with a tablespoon or two of fertiliser - with a low N% with some P and K. Don't use the tomato fertiliser - far too much N. A suggestion - a little manure or compost mixed into the soil - compost or mulch around the plants will help cool the soil down in summer - also you will save water by doing this. With your high temperatures I would suggest you make a shade cover for summer - in Australia we have shade cloth - 50-70-90%. Find some cheap wood off cuts and make a frame - then nail the shade cloth to it. Or some black poly pipe about 25mm thick and make an arc over the plants. By the article the plants should only grow to a meter or so high.

- Mike

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